“There is no other, Newland. How would
society be held in check if it were not for duelling?
We should all be a set of bears living in a bear-garden.
I presume you have never been out?”

“Never,” replied I, “and had hoped
that I never should have.”

“Then you must have better fortune, or better
temper than most others, if you pass through life
without an affair of this kind on your hands.
I mean as principal, not as second. But, my dear
fellow, I must give you a little advice, relative
to your behaviour as a second; for I’m very
particular on these occasions, and like that things
should be done very correctly. It will never
do, my dear Newland, that you appear on the ground
with that melancholy face. I do not mean that
you should laugh, or even smile, that would be equally
out of character, but you should show yourself perfectly
calm and indifferent. In your behaviour towards
the other second, you must be most scrupulously polite,
but, at the same time, never give up a point of dispute,
in which my interest may be concerned. Even in
your walk be slow, and move, as much as the ground
will allow you, as if you were in a drawing-room.
Never remain silent; offer even trivial remarks, rather
than appear distract. There is one point of great
importance—­I refer to choosing the ground,
in which, perhaps, you will require my unperceived
assistance. Any decided line behind me would
be very advantageous to my adversary, such as the trunk
of a tree, post, &c.; even an elevated light or dark
ground behind me is unadvisable. Choose, if you
can, a broken light, as it affects the correctness
of the aim; but as you will not probably be able to
manage this satisfactorily, I will assist you.
When on the ground, after having divided the sun fairly
between us, I will walk about unconcernedly, and when
I perceive a judicious spot, I will take a pinch of
snuff and use my handkerchief, turning at the same
time in the direction in which I wish my adversary
to be placed. Take your cue from that, and with
all suavity of manner, insist as much as you can upon
our being so placed. That must be left to your
own persuasive powers. I believe I have now stated
all that is necessary, and I must prepare my instruments.”

The major then went into his own room, and I never
felt more nervous or more unhinged than after this
conversation. I had a melancholy foreboding—­but
that I believe every one has, when he, for the first
time, has to assist at a mortal rencontre. I was
in a deep musing when he returned with his pistols
and all the necessary apparatus; and when the Major
pointed out to me, and made me once or twice practice
the setting of the hair triggers, which is the duty
of the second, an involuntary shudder came over me.

“Why, Newland, what is the matter with you?
I thought that you had more nerve.”

“I probably should show more, Carbonnell, were
I the principal instead of the second, but I cannot
bear the reflection that some accident should happen
to you. You are the only one with whom I have
been on terms of friendship, and the idea of losing
you, is very, very painful.”